got a long term build question. i am look for a 500 RWHP daily driver and am woundering if i should build up the 7.3 thats already in the truck or put a cummins in it. i know both are going to cost a good chunk of change. but i thinking a 500 hp cummins will be easer and cheper to build just wounder what everyone else thinks. sorry kinda a repost posted this in superduty fourm but ment to post it here. o well here it is now

 

Cummins: easier and cheaper to make high hp.
7.3: More expensive to build up, but can hit 500hp no problem

My opinion, stay with the 7.3. I am not a huge fan of Cummins. They make decent motors, but I'd rather have the 7.3 or a CAT... but you know what they say about opinions. Oh, and too many people have swapped in a Cummins. I'd rather be different.

 

I think if your going to spend the money that a cummins is a better motor, and easier build to that power. Dont get me wrong i love my 7.3L but, theres less moving parts to a cummins, inline engines produce more tourque, and you can start with a 24 valve, thats the main benifit. IMHO a 2 valve engine is a differnt animal then a 4 valve engine. Your engine is an air pump and double your valve = a large increase in avalible power.
Yeah you could do it with either motor, but i personaly would drop in a cummins if i had the funds. The main reason i dont own a cummins is because they dont offer a crew cab long bed, and that maga cab is a joke waist of space i just want to put my baby seat in the back without having to scoot forward.

 

I'm all about bang for the buck, so I'd go Cummins. If they were complete junk, they'd have needed a government contract to keep building them. It's a bunch more work to put that I6 between the framerails, but 500HP in a Cummins - no biggie. 500HP in a 7.3? Better build it RIGHT ( which = $$$$$$$$) or you'll be building it again.

Out of curiosity, why the 500HP requirement?

 

Cummins convo will run you about 15k at a shop without tranny build.. (Commonrail Build)

I will do mine for about $10k with a BTS build as well.. but I will be starting at 750hp (hoping!)

You could do a 7.3 rebuild for $2k and throw an modded H2e and big sticks for $4k.. Bts $4k...

Prices seem somewhat close but the 7.3 build can happen over time. The cummins convo is either alot of cash up front or the truck sits in your shop till you piece it all together.
Like so...

 

500+ ponies just seems like a reliable number for daily driveing and towing.

 

For just 500 id stick with the 7.3 its not hard to hit 500 anymore with hybrids and the turbos they have out now. if you were looking for 600+ id definitely go with a cummins

 

yea i just kinda shooting for 500 now but i know a a later date i will want more!!!

would like to also note that i drive a lot probly 18K to 20K a year. so i need reliablity also

 

Very true. 550hp is the ceiling. The tranny costs go up alot more at that point..

 

If you want 500 now and more later do the Cummins.

400-500hp is easy with a 7.3, but more is the problem. I've seena 7.3 with 996hp but thats just cause the guys was die hard 7.3 man and pbviously ahd lots of money to blow. You can hit that with a Cummins no prob.

 

I'd stay with the 7.3. You can run 500hp no problem with a stock bottom end 7.3. 238/80% hybrids with a modded H2E, GT4294, or an S series will get you over 500hp. Of course you will also need the supporting mods for that.

my buddy is $22k into his 12v cummins conversion into his E99 SD and he still has a stock P-pump w/ no mods and stock injectors that he will be breaking it in with. After it is broken in he will have to upgrade the P-pump and buy big injectors for it. Just the parts to get a cummins into a Ford and running can cost you as much or more than it will to get 500hp from your 7.3 and you end up with a stock cummins.

 

if your only going for 500 hp stick with the 7.3..because of the V 8 configuration of the 7.3 the HP and TQ is lower in the RPM's..in a 1/4 mile a 500 HP 7.3 with the right mod's will give the 700 HP Cummins a run for its money..it will take about an 1/8 of a mile for the cummins to hit its HP/TQ curve..

 

yea well i kinda leaning toards the cummins because i want to start with about 500 and go from there. but i hate to let my 7.3 go. are there better years of cummins for the swap

 

im running just a little south of 500hp with mine. runs great and very reliable

 

12v 94-98 nasty p pump. Potential for large power. Three wires to make run

24v 98.5-02 vp44 injection pump is weak. Can use a tuner so power can be turned up and down.

03-07 24v CR. Commonrail injection. Very tunable with tuners. Engine harness has to be spliced with truck harness. Kinda a pain. 750hp is the limit on the rods.

I would recommend a common rail engine. They can get nasty with the flip of a switch. Check out my cummins convo thread. I have alot of info on there